What You Didn’t Know about Language Barriers | Roxanne Pomerantz | TEDxBGU

Summary

In this TEDx talk, the speaker explores the innate human ability to learn multiple languages, especially during childhood, and its potential to bridge societal gaps. Highlighting linguistic relativity, the speaker discusses how language shapes thought and behavior, using examples like gender associations in different languages. The talk suggests that by embracing multilingualism, we can foster understanding and potentially reduce prejudices, as evidenced by programs like the Orchard of Abraham's Children in Jaffa.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The human capacity for language learning is vast; children can naturally acquire any language they are exposed to.
• 👶 The critical age period before the age of 7 is crucial for language exposure, as it sets the foundation for later language acquisition.
• 📚 Leonard Bloomfield emphasized the intellectual challenge of language acquisition, highlighting its importance.
• 🤔 People learn languages for various reasons, including necessity and enjoyment, with the latter appreciating the cultural depth it brings.
• 🗣️ Speaking multiple languages enhances personal experiences, allowing for deeper connections and a broader understanding of global media.
• 💡 The speaker proposes that leveraging children's language learning abilities and available tools could reduce societal barriers.
• 🚫 Language barriers are not just communication obstacles but can also impact thought processes and behaviors.
• 🧠 Linguistic relativity suggests that language influences thought, with the deterministic theory asserting a direct shaping effect.
• 🌐 Vocabulary differences across languages can lead to different perceptions and associations, as demonstrated by the 'key' experiment.
• 📖 The concept of linguistic correctness varies by culture, with some languages valuing textual references over prestige.
• 🌟 Unique words in languages, like 'Fernweh' in German, can enrich our emotional and experiential vocabulary.
• 🔄 Language barriers grow as languages evolve, suggesting the importance of continuous learning to bridge gaps in understanding.

Q & A

What is the natural human phenomenon mentioned in the script that relates to language learning?

The natural human phenomenon mentioned is that any normal child born anywhere in the world is capable of learning any language they are exposed to.

What is the critical age period for language exposure according to the script?

The critical age period for language exposure is before the age of 7, as this is the time when languages the child is exposed to will influence their later life.

What does Leonard Bloomfield consider the acquisition of a language to be?

Leonard Bloomfield considers the acquisition of a language to be the greatest intellectual feat that anyone is ever required to perform.

Why do some people learn languages for fun according to the script?

Some people learn languages for fun because they enjoy the struggle and effort, and they love the rewards of being able to communicate in another language and the personal connections it allows.

What is linguistic relativity and what does it explore?

Linguistic relativity is a field that explores the relations between language, perception, and thought. It asks questions about how the language one speaks can shape the way one thinks and influences behavior.

What is the deterministic theory in linguistic relativity?

The deterministic theory in linguistic relativity is the core theory that states that the language you speak shapes the way you think and influences your behavior.

How does linguistic relativity suggest that language affects the understanding of concepts?

Linguistic relativity suggests that if a word or concept doesn't exist in your language, you are less likely to identify with or understand that concept.

What is an example of how language can change the way one thinks about a concept, as illustrated in the script?

The script provides an example of a German speaker who was shocked by the English term 'falling in love', which changed the way she thought about love, viewing it as something sudden and dramatic.

What is the significance of the study on gender association in linguistic relativity mentioned in the script?

The study on gender association in linguistic relativity showed how the gender of a word (masculine or feminine) can impact people's perception and the words they use to describe an object, such as a 'key'.

How do some languages perceive correctness differently from English and most European languages?

Some languages, such as Arabic, Hebrew, and Icelandic, perceive correctness based on textual references rather than prestige. If a word or grammar appears in a sacred text, it is considered correct.

What is the potential impact of reducing language barriers on society, as suggested in the script?

The script suggests that by reducing language barriers, we could potentially reduce other societal barriers, promoting understanding, peace, and co-existence.